Acorn BBC Micros

From: Mark <mark_k_at_iname.com>
Date: Wed Nov 4 17:27:52 1998

On Tue, 3 Nov 1998 D. Peschel wrote>
>NTSC -- smooth and flaky PAL -- flickery but more reliable
> (still prone to interference, but fewer
> color-related symptoms, based on my watching
> Wimbledon from an old flat near Knightsbridge)

For TV programmes, the flicker isn't really noticeable (though maybe it is if
you're used to 60Hz NTSC pictures). The higher PAL vertical resolution and no
3:2 pulldown is better suited to films than NTSC. No hue problems on PAL
either (no hue control at all).



>VHF frequency bands: VHF frequency bands:
>channels 2-13 ?
>(1 was scrapped in short order)

I think VHF has long been out of use for TV in the UK. The old VHF transmitters
were turned off in 1979 (or thereabouts).



>UHF frequency bands: UHF frequency bands:
>channels 14-99? ?
>(not sure -- little-used, many
>conflicting terms and marketing)

Don't know what channel numbers are used, though probably much the same as in
the USA -- I managed to get a picture using my old US portable TV the other
day (albeit in monochrome with no sound and slightly stretched picture).



>Now, more sensible input scheme SCART which seems excellent AFAIK
>on modern sets

SCART is super for things like computers and game consoles, since it allows RGB
input, something that apparently almost no US TVs do.



>To keep this on the topic of the thread, I *am* interested in getting a BBC.
>I guess I'd need a PAL monitor and a 220-volt, 50-hz power supply to run it
>though. Does anyone have any ideas?

Use a step-up transformer (110 to 220-240V), frequency probably irrelevant,
though I'm no BBC expert. You should be able to find these in many places like
Tandy/Radio Shack.

You could hook the composite output up to a video monitor or TV. You might have
to adjust the vertical hold and vertical size to get a decent picture. And
this would be monochrome.

Connect the TTL RGB o/p to a suitable monitor for colour. As long as the
monitor has a v.hold control you should be able to get a stable picture.


-- Mark
Received on Wed Nov 04 1998 - 17:27:52 GMT